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PM resigns to contest August presidential elections

Gabon's Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong (pictured) announced on Friday that he was resigning from his post, and would contest the August 30 presidential election as an independent.

AFP - Gabon's Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong announced his resignation to reporters on Friday and said he would contest the August 30 presidential election as an independent.

"I have resigned from my functions as prime minister," Ndong, 63, told journalists at his home in Libreville. He has led the government since January 2006.

Ndong, who failed to win a nomination from his ruling Democratic Party, said he would contest the election as an independent.

Gabon is currently being ruled by Senate speaker Rose Francine Rogombe, who was swiftly sworn in as interim president on June 10 to prevent a power vacuum in the oil-rich nation of some 1.5 million people.

The election was prompted by the death last month of Omar Bongo Ondimba who had been Africa's longest-serving ruler, holding power for 41 years.

The Democratic Party is expected to give formal backing to Bongo's son, Ali Ben Bongo, as its candidate in a congress on Sunday.

Eight other politicians have announced an interest in running for president.